# 1 - Enterprise, December 4, 1947

MELVIN (Melville) SPRINGGATE RITES SUNDAY SUCCUMBS AFTER ILLNESS OF 11 YEARS, NATIVE OF KENTUCKY

Melville Springgate, 73, long time resident of Arlington, died early Friday morning at his home here following an illness of 11 years. He had been bedfast the past 7 weeks. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Methodist church with Rev. H.F. Beebe officiating. Pallbearers were nephews: Gilbert Hall, Chas. Hall, Richard Schlapfer, Archibald Schlapfer, Henry Meador and Andrew Meador. A quartet composed of Mrs. George Ludwig, Mr. Robert Wilkins, Therlo Reckmeyer and Allen W. Laaker sang. W. A. Reckmeyer and son were in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Springgate, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. Oliver Springgate, was born in Garfield, Kentucky, October 20, 1874. He received his schooling there and on December 22, 1897, he was married to Cindia Hall. The couple resided in Kentucky until coming to Arlington in 1910. He was employed by the Marshall’s Nursery until his health failed. He was a member of the Methodist church and the I.O.O.F. lodge.

Surviving besides his widow are two sons, Arthur and Owen, of Fremont; and a daughter, Mrs. Ellen Gaddis, of Arlington. There are 15 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a sister, Mrs. Charles Mercer of Irvington, Kentucky.

# 2 - Pilot-Tribune, December 4, 1947

SPRINGGATE RITES HELD

VETERAN NURSERY EMPLOYEE, MELVILLE SPRINGGATE OF ARLINGTON, DIES

An illness of 11 years proved fatal Friday to Melville Springgate, 73, of Arlington, a veteran employee of the Marshalls Nurseries. He had been bedfast seven weeks.

The funeral was held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Arlington Methodist Church, the Rev. H.F. Beebe officiating. Pallbearers were Gilbert Hall, Charles Hall, Richard Schlapfer, Archibald Schlapfer, Henry Meador and Andrew Meador.

Son of Mr. and Mrs. D. Oliver Springgate, Mr. Springgate was born Oct. 20, 1874, at Garfield, Ky. He and Cindia Hall were married Dec. 22, 1897, and would have observed their golden wedding anniversary this month.

The couple resided at Garfield until 1910, when they moved to Arlington. Mr. Springgate had been employed by Marshalls Nurseries since that year.

He belonged to the Methodist Church and the I.O.O.F. Lodge.

Surviving are his widow, Cindia; two sons, Arthur and Owen Springgate of Fremont; a daughter, Mrs. Ellen Gaddis of Arlington; 15 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a sister, Mrs. Charles Mercer of Irvington, Ky.

# 3 - Arlington Review Herald, December 4, 1947

MELVILLE SPRINGGATE

Melville Springgate was born October 20, 1874 at Garfield, Kentucky, and passed away at his home in Arlington, Nebraska, on November 28, 1947, age 73 years, 1 month and 8 days.

On December 22, 1897, he was united in marriage with Miss Cindia Hall at Garfield, Kentucky. To this union four children were born. One daughter preceded him in death.

When Mr. Springgate was 20 years of age, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior, and united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. On coming to Nebraska, he with his wife united with the First Methodist Church of Arlington. He was a faithful member until the time of his death.

He lived around Garfield and Irvington, Kentucky, until 1910 when they came to Arlington, where he was employed by Marshall’s Nursery. He worked there until ill health forced him to retire. He was ill for eleven years and bedfast for seven weeks. He lived a quiet, but sincere, life. His first thought was his home and family.

He leaves to mourn his passing: his wife, Mrs. Springgate of Arlington; two sons, Owen and Arthur of Fremont, Nebraska; one daughter, Mrs. Ellen Gladdis of Arlington; one sister, Mrs. Charles Mercer of Irvington, Kentucky; 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, along with many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at 2:30 o’clock Sunday afternoon, November 30, at the First Methodist church with Rev. H.F. Beebe officiating.

Pallbearers were A.T. Meador, Charles Hall, Richard Schlapfer, Archie Schlapfer, Gilbert Hall and Henry Meador.

A quartette sang “The Old Rugged Cross,” and “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere,” composed of Mr. Robert Wilkins, Mrs. Dora Ludwig, Allen W. Laaker and W. Therlo Reckmeyer. Mrs. Allen W. Laaker was accompanist.

Interment was made in the Arlington cemetery.

Out of town relatives and friends here for the funeral included Mrs. McCormick and son of Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Hall and sons of Ralston; Seaman James B. Hall of San Diego, Cal.; Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Peters and family of Corning, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Wilkins; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Meadors; Mr. and Mrs. Owen Springgate and family and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Springgate and Joann of Fremont; Kenneth Story of Omaha and Mrs. M.D. Newell of Blair.